Jeannette Krumwiede 1969-1986 & Jessica Krumwiede 1984-1986

KRUMWIEDE

Posted By: Errin Wilker
Date: 1/29/2013 at 20:58:52

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO FIRE THAT CLAIMED TWO LIVES SUNDAY

Two young people died early Sunday morning when a fire consumed their home located along Highway 26 about three miles north of Lansing.

The dead are Jeanette Krumwiede, 17, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Krumwiede, and 2-year-old Jessica Krumwiede, a granddaughter of the Krumwiedes. Jessica was the daughter of the Krumwiedes’ daughter Jackie, who is living in Waukon.

Lansing firemen responded to the alarm at 4:10 a.m., and fire chief Dave Moritz said the 7-room ranch style home was engulfed by flames and beyond saving when the firefighters arrived at the scene.

According to information supplied by Moritz, Jack Krumwiede and wife, Delores, smelled smoke. Krumwiede yelled to his daughter to get out of the house. Jack and Delores exited through a window they broke in their bedroom.

Krumwiede was unable to re-enter the house after realizing that his daughter and granddaughter were trapped inside.

Because their only neighbors, the George Bishops on the north and the Leonard Karniks on the south, were not home, Jack Krumwiede ran barefoot about a quarter mile to the Robert Scarpino home to report the fire.

Jack and Delores Krumwiede were taken by Lansing Lions ambulance to the Waukon hospital. Mrs. Krumwiede had minor burns and her husband was treated for cuts and shock.

State fire marshal Carl Svenson of Decorah was called to the scene Sunday. The investigation as to the cause of the fire continued into Tuesday.

Funeral services are pending at the Burke-Thornburg funeral home for the victims of the fire.

A fund drive has been started in Lansing and New Albin for Jack and Delores Krumwiede.

KRUMWIEDE FIRE SAID TO BE ACCIDENTAL

Fire officials have released a statement regarding the recent house fire near Lansing which resulted in the deaths of Jessica M. Krumwiede, 2, and Jeannette L. Krumwiede, 17.

Lansing Fire Chief Dave Moritz, investigators of the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department, the insurance company, and the state fire marshal have concluded their extensive investigation with the determination that the cause of the fire appears to be accidental. It appears to have started in the north end of the house. The north portion of the house was totally consumed by fire, making it almost impossible to uncover the exact ignition source within that area.

There is no physical evidence to indicate that the fire was other than accidental in origin. The investigation is closed.

Source: Allamakee Journal, Lansing, IA, July 1986